Awareness of Postpartum Complications and Utilization of Preventive Measures Among Patients at Tagbilaran Maternity And Children’s Hospital, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Abstract

The postpartum period, also known as puerperium and the “fourth trimester,” refers to the time after delivery when maternal physiologic changes related to pregnancy return to the nonpregnant state. In addition, to the physiologic changes and medical issues that may arise during this period, healthcare providers should be aware of the psychological needs of the postpartum mother and be sensitive to cultural differences surrounding childbirth, which may involve eating foods and restricting certain activities. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness of postpartum complications and utilization of preventive measures among patients, which hoped to come up with appropriate recommendations. Through a quantitative method, 50 randomly selected postpartum mothers were interviewed. The results revealed that they were moderately aware of the postpartum complications and moderately utilized preventive measures to prevent postnatal complications. Furthermore, it also revealed a significant correlation between the mothers’ level of awareness of postpartum complications and their level of utilization of preventive measures. The results implied the need to amplify and simplify information dissemination in the context of postpartum complications and preventive measures. It is recommended that there is a need to increase pregnant mothers’ level of awareness of postpartum complications as well as the utilization of preventive measures.